Uber: 43,000 Upstate NY residents tried to use app Thanksgiving eve

NEW YORK -- More than 43,000 riders outside of New York City tried to catch a ride from an Uber driver on the night before Thanksgiving, according to a news release from the app.

The app does not work here, however. That's because state lawmakers failed to pass a bill earlier this year approving the app outside of New York City due to concerns over insurance costs, access for those with disabilities and background checks.

Uber has since tried various tactics to increase pressure on lawmakers to approve the app's operation. The news release Monday stressed the app's potential use in preventing drunken driving, especially on Wednesday -- "one of the busiest drinking nights of the year."

Upstate users who download the app are shown a map of their surroundings, but no drivers appear. They are also given a link to a petition calling for lawmakers to approve the app's operation.

The app cited a recent survey of New Yorkers outside of New York City that showed 80 percent of those surveyed believed the ridesharing app would have a positive impact on transportation and commuting here.

Also, the news release included a statement from a Mothers Against Drunk Driving representative who said Uber could be helpful in preventing drunk driving.

In addition to claiming the app could reduce drunk driving, the app has also tried to drum up support by offering free rides to Buffalo Bills players, giving out free ice cream and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on lobbyists.